Beginner’s Guide to Using Rehabilitation Treadmills for Maximum Recovery

Aug 19th, 2024
physiotherapist helping old senior woman

The treadmill is a popular way to get fit at home and in the gym, but this is especially the case for testing and training people with cardiopulmonary diseases.

According to this medical journal on treadmills used in rehabilitation medicine, there is a growing interest in its use for orthopaedic and neurological diseases.

Technical features such as bars, the frame, deck, tread belt, rollers, elevation motor, shock absorption, flywheel, and display can support different patients in the process of rehabilitation.

This article will comprehensively explore the best types of treadmills for patient care, their extensive benefits for treating professionals, and how to use treadmills for recovery.

Benefits of Using Rehabilitation Treadmills

Happy seniors using treadmill for excercise

If you need to rebuild your leg muscles after surgery or injury or struggle with mobility, treadmills can offer a low-impact, supportive solution. Treadmill-based rehabilitation improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles over time, and improves balance and coordination.

For example, a rehabilitation treadmill can be useful for improving mobility limitations for seniors over 70. Treadmills can improve:

  • Muscle strength includes daily activities such as getting up from a chair or climbing stairs.
  • Muscle endurance helps to reduce fatigue during daily activities.
  • Balance and stability, which reduces the risk of falls and enhances confidence when moving around.
  • Improving heart rate and lung function increases physical endurance in seniors.
  • Improvement in mental well-being, reducing stress, releasing endorphins, and boosting quality of life.

Treadmill exercises are low-impact, reducing the risk of worsening existing injuries or causing strain. Often, patients experience improved gait, muscle strength, and overall quality of life with treadmill therapy. Modern treadmills allow health professionals to adjust patient data such as age, weight, medical conditions, etc.

What are the different types of treadmills for rehabilitation?

Different types of treadmills

Low-impact treadmills can reduce the stress on joints, muscles, and are suitable for patients suffering from arthritis or joint pain.

Equipped with handrails, this provides essential balance support and safety during workouts. Additionally, advanced models can have adjustable inclines and speed settings so physical therapists can customise exercise routines for patients.

A physical therapist can include rehabilitation treadmills into physical therapy programs (sometimes funded by NDIS on an approved care plan) as a comprehensive approach to the care of the patient. Often a therapist will assess the patient’s condition, mobility, rehabilitation goals, and a plan for recovery.

What about antigravity training treadmills? This study suggests evidence that these are a therapeutic option to help runners recover and return to activities after injury, such as cross-training, with little to no physical impact.

An antigravity treadmill will allow a musculoskeletal injury to heal without losing any cardiovascular fitness. The benefits of these antigravity treadmills include incorporating early mobilisation with motion stimuli without harmful impact on injured tissues. Many athletes can maintain their cardiopulmonary fitness by controlling treadmill speed or grade.

Types of Treadmills for Rehabilitation

Let’s delve into the types of treadmills that may benefit your rehabilitation program. There are many options available for treating professionals to offer patients for recovery.

Landice Rehabilitation Treadmill L8

Landice Rehabilitation Treadmill L8

The L8 Rehabilitation Treadmill is versatile for medical, rehabilitative, and sports conditions, with features to give practitioners control and flexibility, creating an enjoyable experience for users. What are some of the technical features of this machine?

  • Zero starting speed.
  • Extended parallel medical handrails.
  • 300-micro amp Isolation Leakage Kit.
  • VFX shock absorption system.
  • Patient-attachable safety lanyard.
  • 4 HP continuous-duty motor.
  • Maximum user weight of 227kg.
  • 15% elevation.
  • Lifetime warranty on frame.
  • And more!

Landice Rehab Treadmill L7RTM With Medical Rails

Landice Rehab Treadmill L7RTM With Medical Rails

Featuring a four-horsepower continuous-duty drive motor ranging in speed from 0.1 to 12.0 mph, the Landice L7 includes a rust-free aluminium frame with a 1-inch thick reversible deck capable of reaching 15% elevation. Let’s look at some of its features for patient care:

  • 20″ x 58″ running area.
  • Parallel medical rails.
  • 1/2″ diameter, 14-pound steel rollers.
  • 400-pound user weight capacity.
  • 1000-pound elevation motor.
  • A reversing belt option.
  • An optional 100-micro amp leakage package is available.

Dyaco Medical 7.0T Rehabilitation Medical Treadmill

Dyaco Medical 7.0T Rehabilitation Medical Treadmill

Packed with features that reflect the needs of physical therapists and their patients, the Dyaco 7.0T can help patients feel confident and comfortable when recovering from mobility issues. Let’s take a closer look at the features:

  • 0.2 – 5 kph reverse.
  • 0.2 – 16 kph forward.
  • -10 Decline -+ 15% Incline.
  • 200kg weight capacity.
  • Adjustable height and width of handrails.
  • Removable access straps.
  • Vo2 Test.
  • Gait Symmetry Measurement.
  • Data download capabilities.
  • Front & rear incline motors are used to lift the walking deck for clinical ergonomics.

Spirit Medical Treadmill XT385 (Folding)

Spirit Medical Treadmill XT385 (Folding)

Designed to keep patients motivated, the Spirit XT gives the right amount of room and power needed for comfortable workouts. Better yet, the User Interface is easily accessible for physical therapists hoping to customise rehabilitation programs.

With dual storage trays, handlebar-mounted speed and incline toggles, ergonomically friendly pulse grips, adjustable cooling, and integrated speakers, what else is included for the Spirit treadmill?

  • 7.5″ (190.5mm) blue black-lit LCD screen with separate Muscle Activation Profile.
  • Quick speed and incline keys to save time.
  • Remote handlebar toggles for speed and incline, supporting hands-free workout changes.
  • Contact and wireless heart rate monitoring options with a chest strap transmitter are included.
  • Bluetooth-compatible Spirit Fit app to monitor and record workout data.

BODYWORX 2.0HP AC Treadmill Light Commercial

BODYWORX 2.0HP AC Treadmill Light Commercial

With assembled dimensions of 208cm (L) x 85cm (W) x 152cm (H) and a maximum user weight of 180kg, let’s look at some of the BODYWORX 2.0HP treadmill features:

  • A 2.0HP AC Drive System.
  • 0.8 – 22 km/ph speed.
  • A 10″ console display.
  • Programs include a 16x Pre-set + 3 HRC + 3 Users + Body Fat.
  • Includes a running area of 56cm x 154cm (22″ x 60.5″) x 2.5mm (thickness).
  • Includes 15 levels of Incline.
  • A polar built-in receiver.
  • Bluetooth music and a USB port for charging.

If you would like patients to improve their fitness goals with interval training, track their maximum heart rate, and reduce their risk of injury, Access Health is a trusted supplier for physical therapists.

If you’ve been looking for exercise therapy equipment or practitioner supplies in Melbourne, Access Health has Gym Stations and Equipment, Rehab Treadmills, and more quality patient care.

Proper Techniques for Using Treadmills

Let’s look at some workouts a physical therapist may recommend for your recovery!

  • Your heart rate. Instead of striving for distance or speed, there may be a focus on reaching your target heart rating. A long-term goal may be to sustain intensity for periods of 20 minutes. Tracking your pulse is a simple and accurate way to determine your target heart rate range.
  • Slowly building up to a target heart rate. A therapist may recommend that patients move slowly for the first five minutes, slowly increasing to a comfortable speed and giving the body time to adjust, especially if you have an injury. If below the target heart rate range, the treadmill speed of incline may be adjusted until reaching the target.
  • Adding variety to treadmill sessions. As conditioning and fitness levels improve (and you haven’t experienced chest pain or shortness of breath), your physical therapist may plan weekly sessions that include bursts of high and low intensity.

Always run your routine by your doctor or treating professional, especially if you have a heart condition, as you will need to consult a cardiologist. This way, patients will be able to review the best approach for personal health goals.

Access Health: A Reputable Supplier for Rehab Treadmills

Established in 1978, Access Health is a major supplier of Daily Living and Mobility, Bedroom and Bathroom, Patient Handling, Home and Gym Fitness, and Rehab and Equipment

Whether you’re a patient needing high-intensity efforts for treadmill training or must increase body strength, Access Health is certified to the ISO 9001 International Quality Standard, so healthcare professionals and patients are always getting the best quality. 

We pride ourselves on going that little bit extra to locate the rehabilitation treadmill you’re looking for, even if we don’t have it in stock! Contact us today, view our Quality Policy, or fill out our NDIS Order Form if you have an NDIS care plan!

Disclaimer: Access Health is not qualified to agree or deny whether this content is correct. For accurate information, consult your medical professional or provider.

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